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Voters across the country decide on state ballot measures
While many states voted on abortion measures and immigration initiatives, several blue states passed tougher crime measures.
“You’re allowed to rob a store as long as it’s not more than $950. Has everyone ever heard of that?,” President-elect Donald Trump said at a press conference in Bedminster, New Jersey, in August. “You can rob a store, and you have these thieves going into stores with calculators, calculating how much it is.”
While convicted shoplifters have faced charges, California voters thought the penalties were not enough. Proposition 36 now makes shoplifting a felony for repeat offenders.
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According to California crime data, shoplifting had been on the rise. Incidents jumped 27.5% between 2018 and 2023. Proposition 36 also tackles another issue in California – drug addiction. The measure increases penalties for some drug charges, including fentanyl. During the same time period, fentanyl overdose deaths were also up by more than 770%.
A voter casts a ballot during the Super Tuesday primary at a polling station in an American Legion Post in Hawthorne, California, on March 5, 2024. (PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images)
“Prop 36 is a balanced approach to reducing crime to keep our communities safe while holding repeat retail thieves and those trafficking drugs to minors more accountable,” said Elizabeth Graham, CEO of the California Fuels & Convenience Alliance.
The changes in the new measure stem from an initiative passed in 2014, which downgraded some drug offenses and thefts under $950 from felonies to misdemeanors.
“I know we’re all here to say no to Prop 36, but some of us are here to say hell no to Prop 36,” said a speaker at a rally in opposition of Proposition 36.
While the initiative passed with overwhelming support, those against the measure say it will disproportionately imprison poor people and those with substance abuse issues.
“This is not the time to return to our ridiculous failed policy of incarceration,” said another speaker against the initiative.
Longs Peak, part of the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, rises in the background, framed by green trees and the Denver skyline. (Dave Parsons via iStock)
Colorado voters also voted in favor of several crime initiatives. In the aftermath of the pandemic crime rose across the country, including in Colorado. The most recent data shows violent crime is up 23.8% from 2019.
“I am going to make Colorado safe again. We’re going to make you safe. We’re going to do it fast,” President-elect Trump said at a rally in Aurora, focusing on suspected Tren de Aragua crime in the area.
Voters approved an initiative that removed the right to bail in cases of first-degree murder, when the proof is evident, or the presumption is great. Another measure requires criminals convicted of violent crimes, to serve more of their sentences, before being eligible for parole.
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Voters also approved a fund for police officer recruitment, retention and training and a separate fund to help victims of crime.
“Places like Denver have given away, have diverted $9 million out of law enforcement. Why? Because we need to take care of the euphemistically named newcomers. We have a spending problem. We have a prioritization problem. Crime is going up because of your policies,” Colorado state Rep. Ken DeGraaf said during a hearing on a property tax bill in August.
Colorado voters also denied an effort to end hunting of wild cats like Mountain Lions, Bobcats and Lynx. Most states allow for Bobcat and Mountain Lion hunting, but Lynx are already federally protected. California has passed a state ban on sport hunting Mountain Lions. Florida’s panthers are classified as endangered under federal law.
A mountain lion is pictured in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. Colorado voters recently rejected a proposal to ban hunting of wild cats, including mountain lions, bobcats and lynx. (Dennis Donohue via iStock)
Florida voters also approved protections for hunters and fishermen. The measure adds language to the state constitution that provides a right to hunt and fish. Proponents say the change guards against efforts to take away those rights. Opponents say the addition is legal overkill.
In Maine, voters decided against changing their state flag. The first official flag, used between 1901 and 1909, gained popularity in recent years. It shows a pine tree and star. But voters decided to keep the blue state seal as its official flag.
There were also several unusual local laws passed. Voters in Miami-Dade county decided to expand public Wi-Fi access. Malheur County, Oregon voted against repealing a mandate that would have ended some discussions over shifting the Idaho-Oregon border. Voters in Illinois also voted on state boundaries. Seven counties voted in favor of exploring whether to secede from the state over differences with Cook County which holds Chicago.
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MURRAY, Utah — People with ties to Venezuela gathered in Murray on Sunday, sharing stories from families who lost loved ones and from those whose relatives are on the ground delivering resources to communities impacted by the disaster.
On June 24, Venezuela experienced two major earthquakes with magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5, which have killed thousands of people since then.
The gathering was hosted by an organization called Alianza Venezolana Utah.
People in the community sang and shared moments of silence for parents, cousins and siblings in Venezuela at Murray Park. One of those people was South Jordan resident Ludmila Ruiz.
Ruiz said her younger brother met up with friends at his home in La Guaira to watch the World Cup when tragedy struck. She shared videos of his building where he lived, now destroyed.
She said they still have not found his body.
“When I feel sad, I think of my brother and that he would want me to help others right now,” Ruiz said. “My brother was a special man.”
Eighteen-year-old Leander Guevara said he was on a routine call with his mom back home that day.
“Randomly, everything starts shaking and the signal goes off and all I hear is screaming,” Guevara explained.
He said their home in Caracas is safe. He says his mom runs a church in Venezuela and that she and others are handing out food and clothes to people who need it.
“They made arepas, they’re offering clothes, they actually used the church as a sleeping shelter,” Guevara said.
Still, he says rebuilding will take time.
“It’s actually pretty hard right now to rebuild everything in Venezuela,” he said. “It’s going to stay like this a long while. This is not just right now — next months, this is going to be hard. This is only the beginning.”
Ruiz said that while her brother is gone, he would have wanted her to carry his spirit forward by helping their loved ones back home.
“We know our community needs food, medicine,” she said. “I’ll use that energy, that emotion, and work for my community.”
Storm Team4 is tracking severe thunderstorms, flood watches and flash flood warnings. See all weather alerts here.
4 things to know about the weather:
- Strong storms and downpours taper off as a cooler pattern settles into the DMV
- Temperatures fall back below normal for early July with highs mainly in the 80s
- Periods of clouds and scattered showers/storms remain possible through midweek
- Humidity stays up there, but the dangerous heat is taking a break (thank goodness)
After a heat wave and some strong thunderstorms, the weather pattern across Washington and the DMV turns noticeably less hot this week.
A frontal boundary settling south of the region will bring cooler temperatures, more clouds, and periodic chances for showers through midweek. While it won’t be a washout, keep the umbrella nearby as unsettled conditions linger. Temperatures remain much more comfortable compared to the recent heat wave.
Download the NBC Washington app on iOS and Android to check the weather radar on the go.
QuickCast
MONDAY
Mostly cloudy with scattered showers and storms possible
A few pockets of heavier rain cannot be ruled out
Humid, but significantly cooler. Heat Index and low 90s
Wind: East to northeast 5–10 mph
Chance of rain: 50%
Highs: 85° to 89°
MONDAY NIGHT
Mostly cloudy with a few lingering showers
Mild and humid
Wind: Light
Lows: 71°–74°
TUESDAY
Mostly cloudy and cooler
Showers still possible
Less intense humidity compared to previous days
Highs: 82°–86°
WEDNESDAY
Mostly cloudy with a few breaks of sun; highs in the lower 80s
A few showers possible
THURSDAY
Warmer and more humid as sunshine returns
Scattered afternoon storms possible
Stay with Storm Team4 for the latest forecast. Download the NBC Washington app on iOS and Android to get severe weather alerts on your phone.
CASA of Wyoming Valley will celebrate the ribbon cutting of its new location at noon Thursday at 57 N. Franklin St., Kirby Health Center Annex II, Wilkes-Barre. Community members, partners, and supporters are invited to join in commemorating this important milestone for the organization. An open house will follow the ribbon cutting until 2 p.m.
The event will mark CASA of Wyoming Valley’s transition into a new space designed to better support its growing programs and services. Attendees will have the opportunity to tour the new location, meet staff, and learn more about the organization’s ongoing work advocating for children in foster care.
CASA of Wyoming Valley serves Luzerne and Wyoming counties by recruiting, training, and supporting volunteer advocates who speak up for the best interests of children who have experienced abuse or neglect. Through its work, the organization strives to ensure every child has a safe, permanent, and nurturing home.
“You never forget your first home. The Friedman group have been wonderful partners and their building was home for our programs first 13 and a half years,” said Ryan Schofield, executive director of CASA of Wyoming Valley. “Growth requires change, and our new home at The Kirby Health Center meets the needs of our growing program. Our team is excited to start this new chapter.”
For information, visit luzernecasa.org or follow CASA of Wyoming Valley on social media.
About CASA of Wyoming Valley
CASA of Wyoming Valley is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advocating for children in the foster care system in Luzerne County. Through trained community volunteers, CASA ensures that each child’s voice is heard and their best interests are represented in court and beyond.
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